Very pleasantly surprised by the Hi-Power

[mtenenhaus]

I had the opportunity to handle and shoot an older 9mm FN Hi-Power, Star of David Stamped so i would imagine it had some use though the rails looked quite good.

I was worried about the potential for hammer bite, something i'd read a good bit about..... and I guess i didn't expect all that much from the platform. It's an older gun, no modifications and still had the functioning magazine block.

The Hi-power felt great in my hand, not too big, not too small, not too heavy and the ergonomics were quite favorable. It shot great, very accurately with standard Federal and Winchester white box 9mm. We experienced absolutely no problems, it fed well, cycled well, even the sights were easy to acquire. It was even easy to shoot single handed, something that i am working on. Trigger pull wasn't bad at all. If i had to find any fault it was that the magazine didn't spring out of the mag well when the release was pressed, i had to manually extract the magazine albeit with little if any force.

I'm really impressed.

[9mmepiphany]

If i had to find any fault it was that the magazine didn't spring out of the mag well when the release was pressed, i had to manually extract the magazine albeit with little if any force.

That is caused by the magazine safety, which protrudes into the magazine well

[TKM]

John Browning designed guns that just plain worked and felt right.

Now go try the rest.

[mtenenhaus]

TKM....Mr. Browning must have had an absolutely amazing mind. I can't imagine how he envisioned and created so many complex masterpieces without computers and digital calculators and cad/cam etc. Just incredible.

9mmepiphany....Hope you are well. I always learn so much from you. It was great fun taking classes with you. Perhaps one day we'll take another class together.

I don't think i'll remove the magazine safety, i'm really growing fond of the pistol as it is, though I might see if Mr. Bruce Gray might fashion a judicious beavertail on it for me at some point.

[FalconLair]

i've always felt my Browning Hi-Power is the best balanced firearm i own - it's really a pleasure to shoot - safe to say, if i could only keep one of my handguns, it would be the Hi-Power without a doubt - love that gun

it's a damn shame that, with all that going for it i wouldn't even consider having it as my HD gun - don't want to run the risk of ever having to see it confiscated in the event i had to use it

fortunately i have other very reliable guns that im happy with too

[Mark75H]

Same here. If I was only allowed to keep one, it would be my choice.

[Allhailflintlocks]

I let a non gun owning friend hold my Hi Power. He said it pointed so naturally.

[Jeepergeo]

The Hi-Power includes many features John Browning would have included in the 1911 had he had the opportunity.

Hi-Powers are fine shooters for sure.

[traveler1952]

I have a 1971 edition, Belgium made HP. Love that gun. I'll keep it forever.
At least until I Die.

[003]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power

[mtenenhaus]

Nice reference, thanks for posting that. I might try polishing the magazine safety plunger. Will have to do a little research to see how to do that

[bigstick61]

Nice reference, thanks for posting that. I might try polishing the magazine safety plunger. Will have to do a little research to see how to do that

I just removed it from both of mine. Magazines drop free and it immediately improved the trigger pull. Reduced creep to almost nothing and reduced the weight of the pull.

Some let you remove it with the trigger still installed, some require removing the trigger, which requires you to remove the trigger retaining pin with a punch. Either way, you then remove the retaining pin for the magazine disconnect with a punch and it then comes out pretty easily. Replace the retaining pin. If the trigger had to be removed, put it back in the pistol and put the retaining pin back in. Done.

[Mark75H]

Nice reference, thanks for posting that. I might try polishing the magazine safety plunger. Will have to do a little research to see how to do that

Polishing the plunger foot will have no effect. Its wasted time and effort.

[Mark75H]

You have to remove the trigger to access the plunger foot to polish it, another 30 seconds to remove it altogether.

Just drive the trigger axis pin out, when you have the trigger out, drive out the mag safety plunger retaining pin; catch the plunger, pin and spring and bag them for the future - reinstall the trigger. Make sure the trigger lever (acts as riser into the slide and is part of the reset mechanism on the Hi Power) is in the recessed area on the right side of the gun as you reassemble. Shouldn't be hard to find a video of it.

[9mmepiphany]

9mmepiphany....Hope you are well. I always learn so much from you. It was great fun taking classes with you. Perhaps one day we'll take another class together.

We'll have to see if our schedules align again

I was hoping to maybe touch bases with you next year if there was a IDPA Regional match in your area, but I've heard it might be put off.

I don't think i'll remove the magazine safety, i'm really growing fond of the pistol as it is, though I might see if Mr. Bruce Gray might fashion a judicious beavertail on it for me at some point.

I'm sure he could weld one up for you...he's clever like that

In the meantime, you might look into adding a Ring hammer (Commander style) if you are experiencing any hammer bite